Concerns have been raised recently over the lack of a domestic sponsor for the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Games, with reports indicating that a deal would be done by the first quarter of 2014.

Now into the second quarter of the year, a deal is still yet to be completed however.

During the news conference here in Pyeongchang, Kim made assurances that a deal would be finalised soon with the organisers working closely with two preferred bidders in telecommunications and sports apparel.

"We have been working with two sponsorships since the second half of last year in telecommunications and sport clothing/apparel," Kim explained.

"For these two important areas we are a long way into negotiations.

"In other areas such as automobile, gas and aviation we are in contact and in discussions with some of the major entities.

"From the second half of this year we are confident we make good progress in these areas.

"Now we will be working all out to try to move along with discussions."

Pyeongcgang 2018 President Jin-sun Kim assured a news conference that the Organising Committee (POCOG) was close to finalising a deal for a first domestic sponsor
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During her opening speech, IOC Coordination Commission chairman Gunilla Lindberg added that she is "pleased to report that POCOG continues to make steady progress" in its Games preparations, emphasising that the Commission is delighted that "POCOG is in the process of finalising its first domestic sponsorship".

With Pyeongchang 2018 a little under four years away, it is crucial organisers do not make the same mistakes that have seen preparations for Rio 2016 fall under a cloud in the last few weeks.

IOC deputy executive director for the Olympic Games Christophe Dubi, who was also in attendance at this visit, claimed that "what we've [the IOC] have heard back over the last few months are encouraging over the measures we have taken [in Rio]".

He added: "Just a comment on what we've learnt.

"One thing, and it's not related to Rio, Games organisation is a process that evolves over time and the experiences leading back to the last Organising Committee and the last organisation is a process that builds up and evolves every time.

"So one thing that we've learned is to establish various strict deadlines that will deliver to each and every area and this is why we insist a lot on impromptu time.

"This is something we have done here and it's been very profitable on the response we have had."

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